12 weeks post op still not walking well

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Had hip replacement beginning of March, went well, healed very well. I do all my exercises but still have to use one crutch at 3 months post op. I wabble around kitchen and try to walk on my own UGH! I am frustrated.It's like dragging a log around. I have a eally pronounced limp. I do have generalised athritis and my other hip has taken a lot of weight. I feel like one leg is shorter than the other.  My husband says it doesn't look to be and I am imagining this.

I know recovery is different for us all but I expected to be better than I am by now.

It's not psychological. I was a clinical psycholologist pre retirement, so try to do positive thinking.

Anyone have any advice please i could really use some.

Thanks.

Is this

2

Hi Barbara , i was done on 4th  march so about the same stage . I did have a leg length inequality after a previous op and a rolling gait ( walked like id been at sea for some time) that has gone now and im generally walking about without aids - when i was struggling before it was suggested i try walking poles and use two , going left / right alternatively as this is often easier than using crutches and two are often easier than one - are you seeing a physio ? They can check your leg length and gait - having both legs now equal length has made a huge diference to me ( and there was only 2 cm difference ) usually we have all learned to walk in a way that minimises pain so can have an odd gait pre op and need to learn to walk '' properly"  all over again. I hope this is helpful and my best wishes for the rest of your recovery - am sure my fellow hippies will cntribute more tips and advice that will help you xxx

3

Hi Barbara,

The recovery from this operation is tougher than I expected (but I did not have the 'fortitude' to watch the video of the operation)! I think this is a fairly common thread in discussions in this forum although the experiences vary greatly - as do the surgical and other practices associated with this operation .. to our unending surprise.

There is a good discussion started by Lorna 69887 (Full hip replacement) that covers many thoughts that I might share. But ... in my case my leg length discrepancy was both real and perceived. My muscles and connective tissues had degenerated a fair amount due to reduced activity before the operation - despite 3 mos of PT, massage and acupuncture. This meant that hamstrings and the IT band really tightened, contracting the leg and making it very hard to straighten - a bit of a challenge for the surgeon. He did the best he could and warned me that we might need to even it out when he does my 2nd hip later this summer. When I exercise the upper thigh on my operated leg looks a good 2 inches longer than the other - but the overall leg length difference is now just over 1 cm! This ihas been changing as my operated leg gets stronger and more flexible but it has taken about 15 weeks..

For me ... a good physio and hydro therapy really helped. It focused my exercises and appreciation of gains in recovery.

I hope some of this reassures you. And, welcome to our community. It is usually a fabulously generous gathering place with a great sounding board, advice and encouragement. I hope it helps you on this rollercoaster journey of recovery from THR.

L

4

Thank you for your excellent explanation. never too ld to learn something eh!

I will ask my GP for physio; I live quite far out and they were quite rude to me last time, wanted to have me in in 30 mins. not doable. Need to build some bridges.

You made me feel not alone, I was beginning to think that I am going dolally(a technical term you know).

Thank youso much for your reply.

Barbara

5

Thank you very much for your reply. I feel better for knowing others have had problemd, although i would not wish it on anyone.

perhaps I should have my other hip done. However the hospital conditions were so poor and nursing staff struggling I am not keen. Surgeon was wonderful. will talk to him as well as physio service.

Regards,

Barbara x

6

Hi Barbara, 

Warm welcome to the hippies forum - we come in all ages and stages of this hippies journey - still on the fence, pre-op, post-op , some evn write when on their way to the O.R.

it is disappointing, isn't it? like many of us here, we expect to be done by then - we passed the magical 6 weeks ... 

Have you watched the THR video on youtube?  It is major surgery where muscles and tendons are cut, hip forcefully dislocated and joint removed - then prepared to get the atificial joint to be fitted and banged in - then there is still the femur that also needs to undergo some remodelling in order to complete the surgery --- 

After I watched this on youtube, I was in awe of my body and her capacity (hopefully) to heal all these damages - 

it takes time - for some (like me) a lot of time , or so it seems - 

you are learning how to walk  properly ... when you are limping while walking,it might be better to use a cane - you are not in balance yet , which is perfectly fine - 

I had 2 THR surgeries within 6 months and know that healing from 1st never really took place for me as the operated hip had to support the bad one too soon -

be kind to yourself, Barbara and know that all is well ...

big warm hug

renee

p.s. 

of course, when you are concerned, please contact your surgeon ...

renee

7

Thank you so much. I just felt that I should be further along like a lot of folks say. I know we are all different and at my age, (late 60's) not a spring chicken. I will keep plugging away.

The support is excellent.

Good luck with yours.x

8

Surely not dolally nor too old!

This is just one tough operation (as Renée said so well). And I personally feel that the system does not do all it could to prepare us for the journey (but then, we might not chance it they were too blunt).

Charting progress and noting milestones helped me - I just had not appreciated that they would be little gains and take so long. Very tough for a generation of over achievers who are quite results-oriented.

Please stay in touch to say how you are doing and if you have suggestions from your field.

L

9

I am right there with you, darling - late 60's - but hey, we'll show them okay?  not yet, but soon ...  definitely !!!

10

Hi Barbara

I am sorry to hear your recovery is not going great. I am 43 and had both my hips replaced one in december and the other the middle of feb. So l am maybe 14 to 15 weeks post op and l am still in pain my recovety from my 1st seemed to go really well but after l got 2nd its not been as easy. My sleeping pattern is still all over the place i wake in middle of night in pain l have to move to the couch to get a better sleep. Thats since november l have did that most nights my husband wakes every morning to me not in bed. I am so frustrated. I have got reallt down with being in constant pain although l am walking ok and can drive l have no stamina. I was trying to walk every day to help my hip recovery and ending up in more pain in my knees so l went back to doctor as l felt l was getting know where l had got to a certain level and stopped. I started thinking it was all in my head as l seen so many people on this forum have a thr and are back at work and back to normal and here l was still heavily reliant on painkillers to get me through the day. My xray results came back yesterday and l have ostioarthritis in my knee's now so walking was making my knee's sore. I have to go and see doctor on 14th to discuss what l can do to help my knee's but if its any help l am still not recovered from my 2 hip ops and l am further in than you. I know how hard it is and how much it can get you down.

Laura x

11

We certainly will show them! I have a whole lot of things to do and not done for a long time yet as I am sure you are not.

Have just done a couple of new paintings for an exhibition so must be improving. It takes my mind off the pain when it comes.

Thank you so much for yur support. i truly believe it's what we all need.

You are a lovely person.

Barbara x

12

Hi Laura,

Thank you for your support, it's like taking a dose of medicine isn't it. Each time one of these wonderful people send a message. We are not alone. i truly began to think that I was living in a world of post people running around after 6 weeks!!!!

My surgeon was wonderful and pre op he did warn me that it was only going to take away the atritic pain from my hip joint. that all the other pains would still be there and no magic wand. i had no coice but op my hip was so badly degenerated.

Like you I have generalised osteo athritis. Other hip, ankles, feet, back hands etc. Not all can be replaced hey!.

It seems also that as my surgeon told me there could be a lot of muscle and tendon pain. take the pain killers and keep doing the exercises.

Stay on the forum i have found it a grat support. lovely husband but he is not athritic or post op.

my eldest daughter, (medical) suggested, (the other day) that some of it may be a mindset I had settled in. I was appaled to think she thought that, "absolutely not say I". When I thought about it even as a professional psych, (pre retirement) I could be wrong about myself. Since I thought about it and with forum support I have discarded my remaining crutch for mostof the day. sometimes use a stick when i stan up too long or have pain and take pain killers. I hobble around the house doing chores, it feels difficult especially when knees and feet play up. I would suggest you pace yourself, roll with the pain and do short bursts of things. You have a lot of healing to do. It seems to knock the stuffing out of us all, so be kind to yourself emotionally too.

Reading other's supportive replies are a spur on.

Plenty of mental exercise to keep the endorphins firing to help the stress of it all. I have begun visualisation, I play squash, dance, rock climb in my head. (used to be very active but not any more in real time but no reason to nothave the experience) Deep relaxation is good too, relaxes the muscles.

Take care and thank you for your reply. keep plugging away, I am now.

Stay cool

Barbara x

13

Hi Linda,

Thank you for your support and back to you too. i am cartainly staying with this forum, it is the understanding and sharing that I feel is beneficial.

Yes it's amazing how each little achievement seems so important. it has to be so that one is spurred on to the next one etc.

Yes, I agree we are of that generation,  achivement has always spurred me on. I was 'a young woman of the 60's', the female generation that wanted it all; work, family success. i got that in spades as well as widowhood etc etc. Sailed through being of a certain mindset. My second husband and I, albeit me being disabled, built a house recently  and are still going. Took longer but we got there. I suppose that is what hit me the most, I thought I was invulnerable!  NOT! as it happened. Found out what it is like on the other side, after working with people for what seems like for ever. Empathy and sympathy are OK but experience

trumps all.

I am rambling sorry.

Thank you so much for your support and yes i hope I can support others.

Barbara x

14

Hi barbara, 

I have said this before here that I find this journey extremely confrontational ... the betrayal I felt when a body part just gave up?? how dare she - and then the other one too? I live alone since 1996 after a long marriage ( to a mediacl doctor - midlife crisis poster child)... became independent , took care of myself and whammo!!!  suddenly have to ask someone to take out the trash??? make my bed? , do grocery shopping - oh, and help me wash myself - good lord ... 

I was not ready to retire but was laid off due to "changes  in management" (too expensive !) --- this was a big blow to me ..and then the hips on top of this .... 

anyway, i am learning to be at peace with where I am - 

do I sound bitter??? don't mean to though ... 

this forum has helped me tremendously - I feel supported, understood and loved ..

You already are an asset to this forum Barbara ...

big warm hug

renee

 

15

my response post was deleted ???

why Alan? ( moderator, barbara) 

16

Hi Renee,

You sound to be the type of person who can suffer various traumas in life then pick up and deal with it all. You seem to be very strong and that's what survivors are made of.

We all come to a roundabout in life and often have to make enforced new choice. Post op is one of those times. With the type of support we are given on this forum, emotional help and support is at hand.

If there is more than one issue to deal with it's OK to feel down for a little while. This helps us reflect and adjust to our new enforced situation. But the future is forward so we keep setting small goals and achieving something every day. we need to treat ourselves when we achieve a little goal.......good book, something we like to eat or do. different for us all.

having a network of people either helping physically or emotionally is good and healthy.Tthis forum provides some of that. Let people do shopping etc. you will be able to pay them back in their timeof need at some point.

Good luck and speedy recovery.

Barbara